Like you, I'm spending some serious time at Target these days.
It is one of my favorite stores; and we never seem to get through a
trip without bumping into friends. But I don't expect to run into
Christmas there.

Some say a "war" is waging because cheerful cashiers wish me
"Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." It's true; I'll
concede that much has changed in our desire for political
correctness. Employers now host the annual "Holiday Gathering" and
schools enjoy "Winter Break." But those celebrations never had much
to do with Christmas, and I just can't get riled up about what so
many are calling its demise (I save that sort of energy for playing
referee at the dinner table).

Why? Because I don't expect to find Christmas - a proclamation
of our Lord's birth - at glitzy parties or a shopping mall or even
a parade. Don't get me wrong; I love gathering for food and gifts
and music and fellowship. I adore a glorious tree, inspirational
cards, hot cocoa and carols, smartly wrapped gifts and cozying up
to watch Elf. It would be heresy in my family to refrain from all
the fun, and we're passionate about our traditions. Still ... those
are just the trappings of Christmas.

To me, Christmas is something I try hard (and very often fail)
to carry in my heart, regardless of the season. Christmas is more
of an attitude, a world-view ... a way of life. Christmas came this
year when my son, without suggestion, prayed for the victims in a
passing ambulance. Christmas came when I stood witness to radical
forgiveness, a gift I was humbled to both receive and hand out this
year. Christmas came when we worked alongside dozens of volunteers,
packing 500,000 meals to send to God's precious children in need.
Christmas came when my husband and I watched our wee littlest sing
Happy Birthday to Jesus at our beloved church, our eyes brimming
and hearts overflowing.

The profound, lasting gift we received in the birth of this tiny
boy who changed the world has survived far worse than the semantics
of "holiday." Time and culture and war and persecution have not
taken down the King of Kings. This humble man who proclaimed He
came "not to be served, but to serve," who walked among the broken,
who healed the sick, who washed the feet of his followers, who
showed us God's mercy, divinity, power and love ... He is
Christmas. And His message is still thriving, still changing lives,
still calming the storms and still resonating after 2,000
years.

Perhaps the best way we can celebrate Christmas is to try and
live our lives in constant reverence to His message ... to love our
God, and to love our neighbors and offer grace at every
opportunity. Not just in December, but all year long. Those are
gifts you can't buy at Target. But I'll see you there anyway!

Diane Meehl is a freelance writer, volunteer and mother of
three. Reach her and share your favorite Christmas traditions at
dianemeehl@cox.net.